Ride bright

The majority of crashes between motorists and bike riders occur because the motorist didn’t look for the bike rider. One of the easiest ways to be seen is to wear light and bright visible clothing. Bright light, fluoro or hi-vis clothing with reflective straps and lights makes you much easier to spot and avoid.

Helmet Safety

Price and brand is not necessarily an indication of safety or performance, so don't blow your whole budget on just a helmet. Instead look for a helmet that fits well, is comfortable to wear and complies with Australian Safety Standards.

The hidden road toll

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) has launched a new campaign highlighting the impact of serious road injuries to coincide with the half-way point in the annual road toll.

With 283 serious injuries and 41 fatalities to date* in 2017, road authorities are hopeful for a consecutive record low road toll, but warn that figures can quickly change.

Road Safety Minister Peter Malinauskas said the continued reduction in death and injury on our roads is encouraging, but can change in an instant and we all need to work together to continue to reduce the road toll and rate of serious injuries.

“Every death is one too many, as is every injury. Road safety is about each of us taking responsibility for our behaviour – not sometimes, or most of the time, but every single time we get behind the wheel,” said Mr Malinauskas.

While overall the SA’s road toll is down on this time last year, with a significant decline in serious injuries, down 25%, there has been an increase in motorcycle fatalities with 8 lives lost.

“Sadly, we have seen a spike in motorcycle deaths this year. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable road users and we are continuing to invest in road upgrades and education to improve safety for riders,” said Mr Malinauskas.

The new ‘hidden road toll’ campaign features on a tram wrap and highlights that for every road death, 79 people are injured.

The x-ray like tram wrap aims to expose the unseen side of our road toll, with injuries often overshadowed by fatalities, which only account for a small proportion of the overall trauma on South Australian roads.

MAC Community Engagement Manager, Matt Hanton said while fatalities receive greater attention in the media and road safety reporting, injuries account for the most significant proportion of overall road trauma.

“Every day on our roads, when we make poor decisions behind the wheel we're not just risking death, we're risking disability, brain injury and a painful recovery.

“The consequences of being injured on our roads is under reported and not well recognised by the community,” said Mr Hanton

*The road toll as at 30 June 2017 was 41 fatalities and 283 serious injuries compared to 43 and 379 at this time last year.

The flight you don’t want to take this Easter

Minister for Road Safety Peter Malinauskas said a helicopter retrieval that ends at the Royal Adelaide Hospital helipad is a journey reserved for the most critically unwell.

“Sadly, it’s a journey all too familiar for those who have been involved in a serious crash on our roads and it’s one we don’t want to see anyone take this Easter,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“During the Easter long weekend last year there was one fatality and 12 people seriously injured on our roads; the previous five-day long weekend in 2014 was fatality free but nine people seriously injured.

“What we really want to see this Easter is a long weekend free of both fatalities and serious injuries, but it’s going to take every single one of us to make it happen.

“Behaviour continues to be one of the major contributors to death and injury on our roads; the saddest part is that these crashes can be avoided, simply with a change in behaviour.”

MAC General Manager, Road Safety, Michael Cornish said behaviours including sticking to the speed limit, taking regular rest breaks and making sure you pack your patience when you hit the road this Easter would make all the difference.

“For the last five years, almost 70% of fatalities and serious injury crashes over the Easter weekend occurred in rural South Australia,” Mr Cornish said.

“If you are planning to travel this Easter make sure you take regular rest breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours.

“Driver fatigue is particularly dangerous because it affects your ability to judge your own level of tiredness, decreasing your ability to recognise the warning signs, making you less likely to act and take the break you need.

“Our driving behavior often changes on holidays; we tend to drive longer distances, travel on unfamiliar roads at higher speeds, often towing trailers and with multiple passengers in the car.

“A number of the State’s arterial roads will see an increased flow of traffic this long weekend; if you’re travelling on one of these please be patient – a split second decision bred from impatience could see you and your loved ones not arriving at all.”

SA Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said police will be out in force, with large volumes of traffic expected on rural roads as people travel from the Adelaide metropolitan area to holiday spots and interstate.

“Extra police resources will be deployed this Easter long weekend in a bid to keep the community safe on the state’s roads,” she said.

“The retrieval flight to hospital is the journey no one wants to see their loved one take.”